Flights to Riga: airBaltic's Chapter 11 and Ryanair's Winter Growth
airBaltic is restructuring but still flying; Ryanair is growing at Riga while cutting elsewhere in the Baltics. What changed, and what it means for booking.
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The short version
Two things changed in September 2026. airBaltic, Riga's home carrier, filed for US Chapter 11 protection and says it keeps flying while it restructures. Ryanair, meanwhile, is adding capacity at Riga this winter while cutting it in Estonia and Lithuania. For most travellers the practical effect is: more seats on some routes, fewer on others, and a reason to check your booking conditions.
airBaltic: Chapter 11, and still flying
airBaltic filed for Chapter 11 protection in the US on 14 September 2026. The airline has said operations continue as normal during the proceedings, while its fleet shrinks to roughly 36 aircraft. Less capacity can mean fewer frequencies and schedule changes on some routes, so check your itinerary closer to departure. Reports of the filing: Travel Extra; check airBaltic's own announcements for the latest.
If you hold an airBaltic ticket: it is still valid and the flights are operating. Paying by credit card, or buying travel insurance that covers airline failure, adds a layer of protection — read the policy wording first.
Ryanair: more at Riga this winter
Ryanair's Winter 2026 schedule for Riga adds about 40,000 seats (+6%) across 16 routes, with extra flights on popular routes including Barcelona and Milan Bergamo. In the same announcement Ryanair said it is cutting capacity by around 25% in Estonia and Lithuania, citing airport charges. Source: Ryanair's corporate news pages.
What it means for your trip
- Flying to Riga from Barcelona or Milan: check Ryanair first, with more flights this winter.
- Planning a Baltic loop: Riga may have the better flight options than Tallinn or Vilnius this winter; coach links connect all three, see our Baltic itinerary.
- Timing: our guide to the best time to book flights still applies.
- From the airport: see the Riga airport guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is airBaltic still flying?
Yes. airBaltic filed for US Chapter 11 protection on 14 September 2026 and has said it keeps operating normally while it restructures and reduces its fleet to roughly 36 aircraft.
Is Ryanair flying to Riga this winter?
Yes. Ryanair's Winter 2026 Riga schedule adds about 40,000 seats (+6%) on 16 routes, including more flights to Barcelona and Milan Bergamo.
Is Ryanair cutting flights in the Baltics?
Ryanair said it is cutting capacity by around 25% in Estonia and Lithuania this winter, while growing in Latvia.
Should I book an airBaltic flight now?
Flights are operating, but schedules may change as the fleet shrinks. Check the booking conditions, consider paying by credit card, and recheck the schedule before you travel.
Last updated: October 2026. Facts as reported at the time of writing; airline schedules and filings change, so check the airlines' own announcements.